The Ultimate Guide to Organizing, Financing, and Planning a YouTube Clothing Try-On Haul

 

The Ultimate Guide to Organising, Financing, and Planning a YouTube Clothing Try-On Haul

YouTube is an ever-evolving platform with countless niches, and fashion content continues to draw millions of viewers.  Among the most popular types of videos in this category are "clothing try-on hauls," where creators showcase their latest wardrobe purchases while providing commentary on fit, quality, and style.  If you're considering starting your own try-on haul series, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about organising, financing, and planning your videos.

1. Planning the Try-On Haul

The first step to creating a successful YouTube try-on haul is solid planning. Here are the key factors to consider:

a. Choosing a Theme or Occasion

Having a clear theme for your haul makes it more appealing and focused. Some popular themes include:

• Seasonal hauls (e.g., summer, winter)
• Occasion-based hauls (e.g., wedding guest dresses, holiday outfits)
• Brand-specific hauls (e.g., Zara, ASOS, Shein)
• Budget-based hauls (e.g., luxury brands vs. affordable options)
• Sustainable fashion (e.g., thrift store finds, eco-friendly brands)

Themed hauls help engage your audience because they know exactly what to expect from your content. It also makes shopping easier as you’ll have a purpose behind every piece you buy.

b. Researching Trends

Before you start shopping, research current fashion trends. Pay attention to what’s being worn by influencers, on social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok, and in fashion magazines. Viewers love seeing the latest styles, so including trending pieces in your haul could boost its visibility.

c. Target Audience

Who is your target audience? Young women interested in fast fashion? Adults looking for workwear? Knowing your audience will guide your choices and influence how you style and present the pieces. The closer you align your haul with their preferences, the more likely they are to watch, engage, and subscribe.

2. Financing the Haul

While filming hauls can be fun, buying clothes regularly can get expensive, especially if you’re just starting. Managing your finances smartly is key.

a. Budgeting

Before purchasing anything, determine a realistic budget. Consider how much you can afford to spend on each haul without going overboard. A sustainable model would be to create one or two try-on hauls a month, balancing between budget-friendly and more premium clothing.

To start:

• Set a limit for how much you’ll spend on a haul (e.g., £100, £500).
• Diversify the types of clothing and price ranges to cater to a broad audience.
• Keep receipts for easy returns if you plan to send back items after filming (more on this later).

b. Affiliate Marketing and Sponsorships

As you grow your channel, you can explore ways to finance future hauls through affiliate marketing or sponsorships:

• Affiliate Links: Many clothing brands or retail platforms offer affiliate programs, such as Amazon or rewardStyle (now known as LTK). By signing up, you can add affiliate links to the clothes you feature in the haul, earning a commission every time someone purchases through your link.
• Sponsorships: Once you’ve built a decent audience, brands may reach out to sponsor your content. Alternatively, you can proactively pitch yourself to fashion brands that align with your style.

c. Return Policies

Some content creators buy clothes specifically for hauls and return items they don’t want to keep. This is a strategy that can work, but be mindful of each brand’s return policy to avoid issues like restocking fees or limited return windows. Additionally, ensure your audience knows your honest opinion about the items, regardless of whether you keep them.

3. Organizing the Haul

The key to a well-received YouTube try-on haul is not just the clothing, but the overall presentation. Here’s how to organize your shoot:

a. Shopping for the Haul

With your budget in place and theme decided, it’s time to shop. If you’re buying online, double-check that the clothes will arrive in time to meet your filming schedule. Ordering from multiple retailers? Keep track of your packages to avoid delays or missing pieces.

If you plan to mix new purchases with items already in your wardrobe, ensure that they align well with the overall theme or style you're going for.

b. Setting Up for Filming

1. Location: Choose a well-lit space, preferably with natural light or high-quality studio lights to ensure viewers can see the clothes clearly.
2. Camera and Audio: A good camera is essential for showing detailed shots of the clothing, particularly texture and fit. Invest in a high-definition camera and a decent microphone to ensure clear audio. For beginners, a smartphone with good video quality and a microphone attachment can suffice.
3. Background: Your filming location should be neat and minimal, allowing the clothes to stand out. A plain wall, simple decor, or even a stylish clothing rack with a few hanging pieces can serve as your backdrop.
4. Try-On Setup: Ensure you have enough space to walk around and showcase the clothes from different angles. Include a mirror if needed to show the back of the outfits, and plan to add footage of the outfits being worn, either with split screens or dedicated sections for the try-on portion.

c. Creating a Script or Outline

Even though try-on hauls tend to be conversational, planning a rough outline of what you’ll say is helpful. Organize your script in the following manner:

• Introduction: Introduce the theme of the haul and why you chose the pieces.
• Item-by-item discussion: As you try on each piece, comment on its quality, fit, price, and where you would wear it.
• Closing: Summarize your favorite items and invite viewers to comment, like, and subscribe.

d. Engagement Tactics

To maximize engagement, ask viewers questions throughout the haul. For example:

• “What do you think of this color? Should I keep this item?”
• “Let me know your favorite look in the comments!”

This builds community and encourages more interaction on your video, which can help boost it in YouTube’s algorithm.

4. Filming, Editing, and Publishing the Haul

a. Filming the Haul

When filming, ensure that the focus is on the clothing. Take extra shots of the fabric, details, and the fit from different angles. Capture any movement to show how the item flows. These little touches give the viewer a more accurate idea of what the clothing is like in real life.

b. Editing the Video

Editing is where the magic happens. Use this opportunity to cut out unnecessary pauses, enhance lighting, and add helpful overlays like pricing, sizes, or affiliate links. Many creators like to add text or graphics during editing to make the video more engaging, such as:

• Pop-up text with product names, prices, or quick comments.
• Zoom-ins on specific details of the clothing.
• Background music (be mindful of copyright restrictions).

c. Publishing and Promoting the Haul

Once your video is ready, create a catchy thumbnail and title to draw viewers in. Keywords are essential, so include them in both the title and description. For example, “Zara Fall Try-On Haul | Cozy Sweaters & Chic Outerwear Under £100” combines the brand name, season, and budget-friendly appeal.

Finally, promote the video across your social media platforms. Share snippets on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, and direct your followers to the full video.

Conclusion

Starting a YouTube clothing try-on haul requires creativity, financial planning, and organisational skills. From choosing a theme and shopping smartly to filming and editing a polished final product, each step is crucial to producing a video that engages your audience and stands out in the crowded YouTube fashion space. Stay authentic, provide value through honest reviews, and most importantly—have fun showcasing your unique style!